Howard Lee Scott, of Lompoc, California, passed away peacefully at home, on September 4, He was 92.

Howard was born on February 26, 1929, to the union of Henry L. Scott and Kattie Foster Scott, in Millican, Texas. He was very close with his older sister, Gladys Marie Scott-McKenzie, who served as his mentor. His immediate family preceded him in death. Howard's formative years were lived in Fort Worth, Texas. He attended I.M. Terrell High School and graduated in 1947. Upon graduation from High School, Howard attended Iowa State University, where he met the legendary football coach Eddie Robinson. Howard transferred to Grambling State University in 1952, but his college years were disrupted by the Korean War. He was inducted into the U.S. Army in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and became a member of the 82nd Airborne as a paratrooper during the"Triple Nickel" era. He loved the athleticism of jumping out of airplanes. Howard met his wife, Sarah Williams, through her sister, Ruth, who also lived in Fort Worth.

Howard was honorably discharged and ultimately completed his education at Grambling State University, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and a minor in Mathematics. His passion was football, as he played under Coach Eddie Robinson, winning the 1955 Black College National Championship with one of Grambling's only undefeated teams. Coach Robinson remained his close friend for many decades. Howard was drafted to the Baltimore Colts and played for six months before withdrawing from pursuing a professional football career to assume the responsibilities of family life.

Howard and Sarah had five children: Maurice, Sarah Kaye, Cassandra, Howard Kevin, and Mildred Beatrice. The family became part of the great migration from Texas to California in 1959, when they moved to Los Angeles, CA. Howard became a pharmacy technician, then transitioned into a career in Social Welfare, where he worked as an adult and juvenile probation officer in the Los Angeles and Santa Barbara counties.

In 1970, the family moved to Lompoc, where Howard became a Case Worker for the Federal CorrectionInstitution (FCI) at Lompoc. His involvement with the prisoners came from a spiritual and compassionate place. Howard was influential in creating culturally enriching and enjoyable programming for the facility and was known for his Black History Month programs, when he recruited jazz influences and artists, such as Freddie Hubbard, to come to educate and entertain the prisoners and staff, as well as his own family members. Howard retired from the FCI after 21 years of employment.

Howard was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason. He was an avid reader who loved geography, travel, fishing, camping, cooking, photography, exercising, and listening to jazz. He played chess for many years and enjoyed woodworking, which included making tables for the family home, and even a prized chessboard of his own.

Howard was an active cyclist for over 62 years and owned several bicycles. He took his last ride in June 2021. At the time of his most recent illness, he was able to verbalize, "It has been a good ride." He is survived by his children Sarah, Cassandra, Howard Kevin "Mickey", and Mildred (Phillip), four grandsons, one granddaughter, 13 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and a host of loving, extended family members.